WASHINGTON — The United States’ top military and defense commanders on Friday added their voices to stark warnings that Russia may be about to invade Ukraine, while the president of the former Soviet Republic separately worked to calm his citizens, who have weathered years of Russian malfeasance and subterfuge.
“War is not inevitable,” said a stone-faced Gen. Mark Milley, the nation’s most senior military official. But, he added, “Given the type of forces arrayed ... if that was unleashed on Ukraine, it would be significant, very significant, and it would result in a significant amount of casualties.”
Such a military action would be “horrific” as Russian troops pushed through dense urban areas in the dead of winter, he said.
